Automatic firearm



March 2, 1937. v T BER MANN 2,072,197

AUTOMATI C FIREARM Filed July 1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 2, 1937.

T. E. BERGMANN AUTOMAT IC FIREARM Filed July 1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 3 T, E. BERGMANN AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed July 1, 1933 5 Sheets-5heet 4 March 1937.

T. E. BERGMANN AUTOMATIC FIREARM Filed July 1, 1935 VII! 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 2. 1931 AUTOMATIC Theodor Emil Baden,

8 Claims.

The invention relates to an automatic firearm especially to aninertia type sun of the known Bergmann type. which firespistol ammunition and which may be fired from the shoulder as a machine carbine without the use of a tripod or other stand. This machine gun has a breech block in which the firing pin is loosely mounted. Around the flring pin and in the bore of the breech bolt a main spring is provided, the rear end of which abuts against the bottom sleeve locked by means of locking-ribs to thebreech casing. The main spring acts as a breech closure and a firing spring to propel simultaneously both the block and the pin. Thus, the block and pin are moved forwardly together by a single spring, which simultaneously throws the block into the closing position and the firing pin into the firing position, as soon as the trigger lever, which holds the block in the loading position in front of the magazine opening, is released by the actuation of the trigger. In weapons of this type in use at the present time the breech block, in order that it may be moved for the purpose of setting or cocking the weapon by hand, is provided with a handle or grip-lever, and the'casing is corre spondingly slotted at the side to give the necessary freedom of movement to the said lever when the blockmoves to and fro in the breech casing. Both parts, the lever or handle connected to the block and consequently moving to and fro therewith, and the open slot in the casing, have certain disadvantages. Dirt can easily enter into the interior of the weapon through the slot, and the grip-lever mounted on the block has the disadvantage thatit may endanger the user when the block moves 'to and fro. 'It may happen that, as a result of faulty material, the handle or grip lever may break oil during firing and thus injure the user or persons adjacent to him.

The object of the present invention is to provide an automaticfirearm in which the handle orgrip-lever remains fixed during firing and for this purpose is separate from or located outside the breech block at the rear end thereof, thus avoiding the dangers pointed out and making it possible to provide a casing without a slot or opening for the ieverby having the sides closed.

According to the invention the automatic flrearm comprises a breech block adapted to lock the firearm by means of inertia, a firing or striking pin enclosed in said breech block, a main spring acting as a breech closure and firing spring to simultaneously propel both, (the said breech block and thefirlng pin), and tworotatable Bergmann, Botenfels (Murgtal).

. Germany Application July 1, 1933, semi In Germany July 6,19

No. 678,685 s2 when turned into one position, to engage the breech block by one of them, and .when turned into another position, to engage the breechcasing by the othersleeve.

In place of the cap-like member which is usually found in such automatic pistols for closing the back of the breech casing, one ofthe rotatable sleeves, preferably the outer one, is

provided with an overlapping extension which carries the block handle or grip-lever at its outer end. This sleeve, hymeans of suitably formed ribs, or the like, can be held locked to the casing for the normal (automatic) functioning of the I weapon, while the other sleeve, in particular cases as, for instance, when changing the maga zine, or in case of breakage, the block is to be moved or set by hand can be coupled to the block, in order that the sleeves and the block may bewithdrawn and when again pushed forward the weapon may be cockedby' means of the sleeves.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description and in the accompany: ing drawings it beingunderstocd, that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

In the drawings-- Fig. l is a side elevation of the breech mechanism and its closed casing, I

Fig. 2 is. a plan view thereof, showing the grip-part and the safety flange, c

Fig. 3 is a part vertical sectionalview 01mg. 1 in which the breech mechanism is set ready for firing and the safety flange turned in the safety position, the inner sleeve, being uncoupled from the breech block and the outer sleeve being locked to the casing,

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the Fig.3 showing the safety flange in its safety position,

Fig, 5 to Fig. 9 are cross-sections on the respective lines VV, VI=VI, VII--VII, VIII-VIII, and IXIX of Fig, 3, showing the internal parts in their firing and safety position, N Fig. 10 is a part horizontal, sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 3,.

a Fig. 11 is a cross-section takenon line Xl-Xf "of Fig. 10, V

Fig. 12 is. a part vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing the breech mechanism with its parts after firing,

Fig. ,13 is a rear view ofFig.' 12', showing: the safety, flange inv the non-safety position,

Figs. Hand 15 are cross-sectional viewson the respective lines XIV-XIV, and XV-XV of Fig.

2. mm? 12, showin the position of the inner sleeve with t is compressed, the sleeve d can then be turned, its lugs, by means of the safety flange a, into the safety Fig. 16 is a part vertical sectional view showing the parts withdrawn in the backward position before they are pushed forward for cooking the weapon by hand, the inner sleeve being coupled with the breech block,

Fig. 17 is a rear view of'Fig. 16,

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line XVIIL-XVIII of Fig. 16, showing the position of the outer sleeve,-. Y

Figs. 19 to 22 Show the end bushingprme breech block in elevation (Fig. 19) and in three sections, two of these sections (Figs. 21 and 22).

XXI-m and XXII-41KB of Fig. 20. I

The block-lever or handle a is placed'atthe being cross-sections taken on the respective lines outer end of the outer or end sleeve b, which is carried in the closed casing h and engages with the rear end of the breech-block c. For the purpose of manual operation, the sleeve b is capable of being turned by means of the handle or lever a so that the coupling lugs of the'inner sleeve d can enter'into' corresponding recesses in the breech blofckfif The outer sleeve b, by; means of lockirigribs, is adapted to be held locked to the casing h during firing. The inner sleeve d, by

means ofits coupling lugs, can be brought into engagement with thebreech-block to enable the latter to be withdrawn and pushed forward by hand, when the weapon is to be set.

As to the details of construction the handle or lever a is secured on an overlapping extension b of the outer or bottom sleeve b which, during firing, is held locked to the casing h by the ribs q abutting against inner shoulders 11. of the casing and secured-in their locking position by a locking catch 0 in the form of a spring pressed pin (Figs. 5, l0 and 12) In the sleeve b is mounted a second or inner sleeve, (1, having at its front end diametrical coupling lugs d and at its rear portion a safety lug or cam ,f. This sleeve d carries a safety flange s on its end pin 11 which protrudes backwards beyond the outer sleeve b. The

connection between the outer sleeve b and the inner sleeve dis formed'by the said safety flange,

s which'engageswith-a spring pressed pin s in a corresponding rest I in a circular guide groove 8' in the end surface of extension D The coupling'lugs'd on the sleeve d can enter into corresponding recesses of a bush 1, which is screwed into the rear of the breech-block and into which the front end of the sleeve d extends. In the bush are provided slots i for the coupling lugs d and a circular groove 1 for the safety lug I. On the, inside of the bush i 'on its front end, are provided two horizontal slots m, which extend out into the groove 1 and in which during the hand setting (cocking) movement, the safety lug I can enter. At the outer side of its front end the bush 1' has two recesses n, into which,

when the breech-block'is 'tobe drawn back, the

setting by being guided in corresponding grooves in the casing. When the breech-block is again pushed forward in a position'in front of the magazine opening (Fig. 9), in which it is held by the trigger pawl r, and the breech closing and striking spring position, the spring loaded-catch pin 3 snapping.

into the safety rest 11 (Fig. 10). By this turning motion the safety lug j engages into the block so that this is firmly held againstforward movement, even if the trigger is released. When setting or cocking by hand, and for this purpose the sleeves with the breech-block are drawn back, the locking and striking spring t is also drawn outuntilthe breech-block-strikes on the slide-p. The-parts are now again pushed forward as soon as the block is stopped in its loading position by the trigger pawl r. The closing and striking spring is compressed by the forward 1. A machine'gun comprising, ,a breech casing with unslotted wall, an inertia closed breech block slidable therein, a firing pin in the breech block, a spring for effecting the closing movement of the breech block and also driving the firing pin, a non-recoiling and sleeve slidable manually in the casing, means carried by said sleeveoperative in its backward stroke to retract the breech block along with its aforesaid spring in uncooked condition to itsrearmost position, said sleeve in its forward stroke cooking the said spring. a trigger pawl for holding the breech block when it is thus retracted, means for locking the end sleeveto the casing at the end of its forward stroke to hold the spring cocked, and a handle carried by said end sleeve externally of the casing. X

2. A machine gun comprising, a breech casing with unslotted wall, an inertia closed breech block slidable therein, a firing pin in the breech block, a spring for effecting the,closing movement of the breech block and also driving the firing pin, a non-.recoiling end sleeve slidable manually in the casing, means carried by said operative sleeve in its backward stroke to retract the'bree'ch block along with its aforesaid spring in u'ncocked condition to its rea'rmost' position, said sleeve in its forward stroke cocking the said spring, a trigger pawl for holding the breech block when it isthus retracted, means for locking the end sleeve tothe casing at the end of its forward I stroke to hold the spring cocked, a handle carried by said end sleeve externally of the casing, and safety means associated with said end sleeve for holding the breech block in cocked condition independently of the trigger pawl.

3. A machine gun according to claim. 2, in which the end sleeve has an inner sleeve rotatably mounted therein and said inner sleeve having 2. 'lug co-operating with a recess in the breech block for coupling the end. sleeve to the breech block for retracting the same, said inner sleeve also carrying the safety means.

4. A machine gun comprisinga-breech casing with unslotted wall, an inertia closed breech block slidable therein, a firing pin in the breech block, a non-recoiling end sleeve slidable manually in the casing, an inner sleeve rotatablymounted in .the end sleeve and having a lug movable by such rotation to engaze the breech block to retract means for locking the end sleeve to the casing at the end of its forwardstroke to hold the spring cocked, and a handle carried by said end sleeve.

externally of the casing.

5 A machine gun comprising a breech casing with unslotted wall, an inertia closed breech block slidable therein, a firing pin in the breech block, a non-recoiling end sleeve slidable manually in the casing, an inner sleeve rotatably mounted in the end sleeve and having a lug movable by such rotation to engage the breech block to retract the same to its rearmost position in the backward stroke of the end sleeve without relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the breech block during said retraction, a spring for effecting the closing movement of the breech block and also driving the firing pin, said spring being arranged to be carried in uncooked condition by the breech block in its said backward stroke and to be cooked by the next forward stroke of the manually operable end sleeve, a trigger pawl for holding the breech block when it is thus retracted means for locking the end sleeve to the casing at the end of its forward stroke to hold the spring cocked, a handle carried by said end sleeve externally oi the casing, and saiety means associated with said sleeves for holding the breech block in cocked condition independently of the trigger pawl.

6. A machine gun according to claim 5, in which the safety means includes a lug on the inner sleeve which in the operative condition of the safety means engages an annular groove in the breech block to prevent its release by the trigger pawl.

7. A machine gun according to claim 1, in which the end sleeve has shouldered guide cheeks cooperating with corresponding shouldered recesses in the rear end of the casing and enabling itto be withdrawn therefrom in oneposition of rotation relatively to said casing.

8. In the machine gun according to claim 4, safety means comprising a lug on the inner sleeve cooperating with annular and longitudinal grooves in the breech block, and means for securing the inner sleeve selectively in two positions of rotation relatively to the end sleeve corresponding to safety and firing conditlons, said lug on the inner sleeve being turned into alignment with the longitudinal groove in the breech block when the safety means is set for firing condition,

and into engagement with the annular groove when the said means is set for safety condition.

'rimopon sun. BERGMANN. 

